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Monitoring Training of New Age Readers
The Age Determination Unit has a standard process for training readers. Training of age readers begins with sessions at a teaching microscope, where species-specific age reading criteria are described, relevant to the growth pattern. They next spend at least two weeks examining specimens, with free access to age data. The next step is to assess their progress, by conducting "blind" precision tests where they are given a sample without access to age data. Problem areas are often revealed in this process and highlight difficult to interpret growth patterns; these specimens are then examined at the teaching scope. Over time, the error will (should) stabilize. When consistency is achieved the reader begins "production reading" responsibilities which generally involves a lower level of oversight by an experienced reader. Figure 1 is an example of a control chart (Shewart 1931) used in tracking progress of new readers, and documenting consistency of experienced readers (application parameters and control limits developed by Munk, unpublished data).
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